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Hugely popular Italian gourmet sandwich/deli shop in Little Italy. Expect lines during meal times and especially weekends as each sandwich is freshly crafted amongst a lot of to go orders. Many sandwiches to choose from paired with the bread of your choice. There is also pasta. There's a lot to see in the Italian themed shop itself and items to pick up from its shelves and refrigerators.
Molinari Delicatessen is a San Francisco institution since 1896. Be sure to grab a ticket and wait for your number before ordering. This was my second time here and I've had great friendly service both visits. They also sell a variety of Italian products, which is fun to browse while you wait. This time I ordered the Renzo Special with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, coppa, and tomatoes on focaccia I added basil spread and it was excellent. Definitely grab your sandwich to go and eat at one of the outdoor tables if you can snag one, or take it over to the park for a picnic.
Honestly, OVERRATED. Parking in this area is chaos so take that into consideration. Love the interior, the variety is amazing and all authentic. There were no one to tell you to grab a ticket, so definitely be on the lookout if you want to get a sandwich at the deli. The staff's were fast but definitely overworked. There's no reason people should Be waiting an hour The bread is pre-purchased from another business nearby but they cut all the meat right in front of you.
Molinari's is a San Francisco institution and has been around since 1896. They have great sandwiches and also has deli items, pasta, sauces, imported Italian goods. The old school Italian deli feels like a time capsule, the salamis are hung from the ceiling and the walls are lined with Italian goods. If you're there for a sandwich or salads, you need to take a number at the front of the door. They take orders by calling out numbers. They also take card but charge an extra fee so it's good to bring cash. Don't go on a weekend during lunch if you don't have time to wait. I waited about an hour on a Sunday at 12:30pm. It was worth the wait but I'll definitely try to come earlier to beat the lunch rush next time. They close online ordering during busy times. The guys behind the counter are nice but not the fastest so be patient! It takes time to make perfect sandwiches. I ordered the Molinari Special, the Italian combo with the works, with provolone on a sourdough roll. It was the best Italian cold cut sandwich I've had! The quality of the cold cuts stood out, there were probably 5 or more different cold cuts in the sandwich. Sandwiched with the lettuce, tomatoes, peperoncini, olive oil and vinegar, it was the perfect combo! I can see why they've been around for so long. The sourdough had a good crust so I wouldn't recommend it if you want something softer. There's a limited amount of tables out front, so you may have to eat somewhere else if they're full. I will be coming back to try their other sandwiches, buy some cold cuts and focaccia.
A true San Francisco staple, family owned Molinari Delicatessen has been serving up great Italian flavors since 1896. Molinari isn't just a deli--it's an experience. From the aroma of cured meats to the buzz of locals and visitors alike, everything about this place feels genuine. Grab a sandwich, head to the outdoor seating or take wherever, and enjoying seriously good food. Simple, classic, and done right. If you're in San Francisco, GET SOME!! This spot isn't optional--it's a must.
Molinari Delicatessen is one of those places that truly earns the word "institution." Located in the heart of North Beach and around since 1896, it has that old-world Italian market feel that's getting harder to find these days. I've stopped here many times over the years to grab a sandwich to go, and they've always been excellent. The place is usually busy, the line moves fast, and the energy feels right. If I had to pick favorites, my top choices would be the Molinari Special "Italian Combo", the Luciano Special, and the Grilled Focaccia Special, in that order. The deli was founded by P.G. Molinari, an immigrant from Italy's Piedmont region, and after surviving the 1906 earthquake and several generations of family ownership, it's now run by the Mastrelli family, who have kept things true to their roots. While they sell imported Italian goods, cheeses, salamis, and pastas, let's be honest, it's the sandwiches that bring people in. If you're ordering the Italian Combo, do yourself a favor and ask for it on gutted, toasted hard sourdough, and unless you feel strongly about leaving something out, just say "with everything on it." Trust me, you won't regret it.
Known about this place for years and finally found the chance to try it out. Walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 am, and it was decently busy, but didn't have a huge line forming yet. It took me about 10 minutes from walking in to leaving with my order. The staff was helpful when ordering and extremely friendly, having fun conversations with many of the locals and tourists in the shop. I ordered the Molinari Special and the Luciano Special, and both were very enjoyable. The Molinari (9/10) was my favorite of the two. It was probably the best Italian combo sandwich I've had. The assortment of cold cuts was delicious, and the spreads made the sandwich flavorful and moist enough to enjoy with the hard Dutch crunch. I'd definitely come back just for this. The Luciano (7.5/10) was completely different and also tasty. The grilled focaccia was an amazing bread choice, adding a buttery, crunchy element. The inside was very simple with just coppa and mozzarella. It was good, but could have used something extra to elevate it. At home, I added balsamic on top, which made it almost a perfect sandwich. As ordered, it's still very tasty because of the bread, but not quite as impressive. With a large menu and an enjoyable environment, I will definitely return to Molinari's in the future. I can see why this place has been an SF staple for generations.
I've visited Molinari Delicatessen a couple of times, but the mass of tourists crowded into the place made those unpleasant experiences, and I certainly wasn't going to join the scrum to buy a sandwich that I could make at home, so I've never had one of theirs. Over the years, I have purchased various Molinari salami to slice at home, but frankly, I prefer to buy such meats from Foustman's, a company with less history but better products.
Delicious sandwiches, deli items, and lots of Italian groceries - so much to take in, but you'll have time while you wait in line. There's always a line. But it goes quick enough, the servers are nice, and the food is great. There are a few tables out front, but we take ours to go.
My bf was so excited to show me this sandwich spot and I think maybe we got the wrong sandwich to share because I wasn't a fan of the meat cuts When you walk into the store, be sure to grab a ticket number as they use that to call your number for order. We waited almost an hour to order and have our sandwich made as it was a busy lunch hour. I should've trusted my gut and ordered a cold cut sandwich but ended up doing the Luciano special as they use green onion focaccia bread on it for $20. The pickled onions in the sandwich threw me off and made the prosciutto and salami tasted off to me. I ended up giving the slices of meat to my bf and just ate the focaccia bread with the sun dried tomatoes inside. I think I definitely need to give this place another try as I didn't like my sandwich toppings.
Visited this deli after hearing many compliments about it. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon and it was so packed and busy - it took us an hour to get our sandwiches. The chicken cutlet sandwich was really good. The chicken was both soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. The Luciano sandwich was a bit more on the salty side for me. The deli also had a broad selection of meats, cheese, pasta, sauces, condiments and wine. Remember to grab a number when you walk in!
I was in the area for lunch and felt I should get a classic sandwich! When you enter the shop make sure you TAKE A NUMBER from the dispenser by the front door - that is how you will be helped. And you will need it because the store was packed. I did end up waiting about 20 minutes to order as the sandwiches are made with care, and you can also get deli orders of fresh sliced meat and sauces. I ordered the grilled focaccia special sandwich, which came with focaccia, prosciutto, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, and red bell peppers. It was huge! The size of my head. The ingredients were fresh and delicious but I felt the sandwich needed some greenery to balance out the saltiness - maybe next time I would ask to add some pesto or lettuce or something. Logistics: - Take a number to order - A few tables to eat outside - Limited street parking nearby
My fiance and I love this place! Im not the biggest sandwich person but we always make an effort to stop here when were in the city. I love the basil turkey special. The shop transports you to italy and its super unique. Staff is always friendly. Note: Only 5 small tables outside. Theres typically a line so youll need to account for a wait time
9 days ago
Place lived up to the hype. This was on my SF Bucket List for two reasons: 1. I love a good Italian deli 2. Anthony Bourdain Service - exceptional! I felt like when it was my turn that my sandwich was the most important thing to ensure it was done right. Food- phenomenal sandwich. The bread, the meat, all of it! Sat outside and enjoyed the area while I was eating. Loved my experience here and I will always come back to this spot next time I'm in SF. read more
2 months ago
3 months ago
Hugely popular Italian gourmet sandwich/deli shop in Little Italy. Expect lines during meal times and especially weekends as each sandwich is freshly crafted amongst a lot of to go orders. Many sandwiches to choose from paired with the bread of your choice. There is also pasta. There's a lot to see in the Italian themed shop itself and items to pick up from its shelves and refrigerators. read more
5 months ago
Molinari Delicatessen is a San Francisco institution since 1896. Be sure to grab a ticket and wait for your number before ordering. This was my second time here and I've had great friendly service both visits. They also sell a variety of Italian products, which is fun to browse while you wait. This time I ordered the Renzo Special with fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, coppa, and tomatoes on focaccia I added basil spread and it was excellent. Definitely grab your sandwich to go and eat at one of the outdoor tables if you can snag one, or take it over to the park for a picnic. read more
Honestly, OVERRATED. Parking in this area is chaos so take that into consideration. Love the interior, the variety is amazing and all authentic. There were no one to tell you to grab a ticket, so definitely be on the lookout if you want to get a sandwich at the deli. The staff's were fast but definitely overworked. There's no reason people should Be waiting an hour The bread is pre-purchased from another business nearby but they cut all the meat right in front of you. read more
7 months ago
Molinari's is a San Francisco institution and has been around since 1896. They have great sandwiches and also has deli items, pasta, sauces, imported Italian goods. The old school Italian deli feels like a time capsule, the salamis are hung from the ceiling and the walls are lined with Italian goods. If you're there for a sandwich or salads, you need to take a number at the front of the door. They take orders by calling out numbers. They also take card but charge an extra fee so it's good to bring cash. Don't go on a weekend during lunch if you don't have time to wait. I waited about an hour on a Sunday at 12:30pm. It was worth the wait but I'll definitely try to come earlier to beat the lunch rush next time. They close online ordering during busy times. The guys behind the counter are nice but not the fastest so be patient! It takes time to make perfect sandwiches. I ordered the Molinari Special, the Italian combo with the works, with provolone on a sourdough roll. It was the best Italian cold cut sandwich I've had! The quality of the cold cuts stood out, there were probably 5 or more different cold cuts in the sandwich. Sandwiched with the lettuce, tomatoes, peperoncini, olive oil and vinegar, it was the perfect combo! I can see why they've been around for so long. The sourdough had a good crust so I wouldn't recommend it if you want something softer. There's a limited amount of tables out front, so you may have to eat somewhere else if they're full. I will be coming back to try their other sandwiches, buy some cold cuts and focaccia. read more
6 months ago
A true San Francisco staple, family owned Molinari Delicatessen has been serving up great Italian flavors since 1896. Molinari isn't just a deli--it's an experience. From the aroma of cured meats to the buzz of locals and visitors alike, everything about this place feels genuine. Grab a sandwich, head to the outdoor seating or take wherever, and enjoying seriously good food. Simple, classic, and done right. If you're in San Francisco, GET SOME!! This spot isn't optional--it's a must. read more
Molinari Delicatessen is one of those places that truly earns the word "institution." Located in the heart of North Beach and around since 1896, it has that old-world Italian market feel that's getting harder to find these days. I've stopped here many times over the years to grab a sandwich to go, and they've always been excellent. The place is usually busy, the line moves fast, and the energy feels right. If I had to pick favorites, my top choices would be the Molinari Special "Italian Combo", the Luciano Special, and the Grilled Focaccia Special, in that order. The deli was founded by P.G. Molinari, an immigrant from Italy's Piedmont region, and after surviving the 1906 earthquake and several generations of family ownership, it's now run by the Mastrelli family, who have kept things true to their roots. While they sell imported Italian goods, cheeses, salamis, and pastas, let's be honest, it's the sandwiches that bring people in. If you're ordering the Italian Combo, do yourself a favor and ask for it on gutted, toasted hard sourdough, and unless you feel strongly about leaving something out, just say "with everything on it." Trust me, you won't regret it. read more
2 months ago
Known about this place for years and finally found the chance to try it out. Walked in on a Saturday morning around 11 am, and it was decently busy, but didn't have a huge line forming yet. It took me about 10 minutes from walking in to leaving with my order. The staff was helpful when ordering and extremely friendly, having fun conversations with many of the locals and tourists in the shop. I ordered the Molinari Special and the Luciano Special, and both were very enjoyable. The Molinari (9/10) was my favorite of the two. It was probably the best Italian combo sandwich I've had. The assortment of cold cuts was delicious, and the spreads made the sandwich flavorful and moist enough to enjoy with the hard Dutch crunch. I'd definitely come back just for this. The Luciano (7.5/10) was completely different and also tasty. The grilled focaccia was an amazing bread choice, adding a buttery, crunchy element. The inside was very simple with just coppa and mozzarella. It was good, but could have used something extra to elevate it. At home, I added balsamic on top, which made it almost a perfect sandwich. As ordered, it's still very tasty because of the bread, but not quite as impressive. With a large menu and an enjoyable environment, I will definitely return to Molinari's in the future. I can see why this place has been an SF staple for generations. read more
I've visited Molinari Delicatessen a couple of times, but the mass of tourists crowded into the place made those unpleasant experiences, and I certainly wasn't going to join the scrum to buy a sandwich that I could make at home, so I've never had one of theirs. Over the years, I have purchased various Molinari salami to slice at home, but frankly, I prefer to buy such meats from Foustman's, a company with less history but better products. read more
4 months ago
Delicious sandwiches, deli items, and lots of Italian groceries - so much to take in, but you'll have time while you wait in line. There's always a line. But it goes quick enough, the servers are nice, and the food is great. There are a few tables out front, but we take ours to go. read more
8 months ago
My bf was so excited to show me this sandwich spot and I think maybe we got the wrong sandwich to share because I wasn't a fan of the meat cuts When you walk into the store, be sure to grab a ticket number as they use that to call your number for order. We waited almost an hour to order and have our sandwich made as it was a busy lunch hour. I should've trusted my gut and ordered a cold cut sandwich but ended up doing the Luciano special as they use green onion focaccia bread on it for $20. The pickled onions in the sandwich threw me off and made the prosciutto and salami tasted off to me. I ended up giving the slices of meat to my bf and just ate the focaccia bread with the sun dried tomatoes inside. I think I definitely need to give this place another try as I didn't like my sandwich toppings. read more
9 months ago
Visited this deli after hearing many compliments about it. We visited on a Tuesday afternoon and it was so packed and busy - it took us an hour to get our sandwiches. The chicken cutlet sandwich was really good. The chicken was both soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. The Luciano sandwich was a bit more on the salty side for me. The deli also had a broad selection of meats, cheese, pasta, sauces, condiments and wine. Remember to grab a number when you walk in! read more
9 months ago
I was in the area for lunch and felt I should get a classic sandwich! When you enter the shop make sure you TAKE A NUMBER from the dispenser by the front door - that is how you will be helped. And you will need it because the store was packed. I did end up waiting about 20 minutes to order as the sandwiches are made with care, and you can also get deli orders of fresh sliced meat and sauces. I ordered the grilled focaccia special sandwich, which came with focaccia, prosciutto, mozzarella, sun dried tomatoes, and red bell peppers. It was huge! The size of my head. The ingredients were fresh and delicious but I felt the sandwich needed some greenery to balance out the saltiness - maybe next time I would ask to add some pesto or lettuce or something. Logistics: - Take a number to order - A few tables to eat outside - Limited street parking nearby read more
11 months ago
My fiance and I love this place! Im not the biggest sandwich person but we always make an effort to stop here when were in the city. I love the basil turkey special. The shop transports you to italy and its super unique. Staff is always friendly. Note: Only 5 small tables outside. Theres typically a line so youll need to account for a wait time read more
Ordered on doordash to have delivered to our office, they have the platform set up for easy customization if you want to make any changes to the sandwiches. I ordered for a specific time and they did great not making the sandwiches until it was close to delivery time. Our group of 6 got either the Luciano Special, Molinari Special Italian Combo, or a custom sandwich. We were all pleasantly surprised by how big the sandwiches were. Most of us only ended up eating half and saving the rest for later. My Luciano Special was just as good the next day as it was the first. Would absolutely order form here again and get the same or a custom sandwich! read more
Don't get me wrong, the Luciano special was a solid sandwich and absolutely worth trying once. The shop was so cute and sold a wide assortment of artisan products that all looked appetizing. However, my roommate and I waited over 75 minutes for 2 sandwiches on a Sunday afternoon at 2:15pm. At $45 for the sandwiches, you can definitely go elsewhere in the city and wait significantly less for the same or better quality. To order, you have to pull a number by the door and wait for it to be called. When we arrived, they were on #35 or so, and we pulled #72. However, there weren't actually 37 people ordering in front of us, as many people ended up leaving because the wait was taking so long. All in all, they probably skipped at least 20 numbers. Since there were 5 staff members each taking orders and making sandwiches for the entire duration of our visit, it was really hard to justify waiting this long when there were maybe 15-20 orders max ahead of us. Staff was friendly, though! Would only consider going back if I ordered online well ahead of when I actually wanted to eat :) read more
1 year ago
Came to the city and Molinari Delicatessen was the first stop for lunch on Saturday. Trust believe me the sandwiches are great here, but you will be waiting in line for awhile. We got the Grilled Focaccia Special and the Luciano Special. Both were great and you can't go wrong with either. I loved how everything was fresh and how you can taste every ingredient. Definitely recommend you trying it out! Great to eat there or bring it for lunch on your busy day ahead. read more
3 months ago
Got to try one of the well known sandwich spots in north beach! Get ready to wait you will get an order number and once you're called you place your sandwich order. The sandwich was delicious and around $17 and inside the store they also sell different italian products. read more
Pick up a number tab inside if waiting in person or order online for pickup (took 30min on Sunday afternoon). - grilled focaccia sandwich: I enjoyed the grilled panini style, and the sundried tomato and peppers. I would skip on the mustard next time as it is overpowering. The focaccia was bread-like consistency, not as airy and soft - molinari special: a good assortment of meats in this and it was dressed well! read more
Molinari deli hot diggity dawg. This may be the best and my favorite deli now. I got the renzo special on sourdough. It came with prosciutto and.coppa fresh mozzarella, and sun-dried tomatoes. The meats here are phenomenal and the best quality I have ever had. It was so soft and melt in your mouth and delicious. Well balanced sandwich and dope spot. I now understand an italian deli vs a sandwhich shop that sells italian meats. I recommend and will be back. read more
Get here early because the wait can be LONG. This old school deli has the freshest deli meats and cheeses, yummiest bread, and most delectable condiments! It has a great vibe and the staff make you feel like you're a part of the family. read more
3 months ago
The sandwiches are out of this world delicious. The variety offered will please anyone's palate. Ordered Molinari special, South beach special and a Luciano special. Staff if friendly,fast and efficient. I ordered on line which made the wait tolerable. Luckily we were able to name a table and chairs for al fresco dining. A beautiful sunny day in the City while we people watched and took in the vibe. Btw the deli was packed with such authentic and fresh products. This place should be on everyone's go to list. read more
It's been a looooong time since I left you With a dope review to step to... If you look up the word delicatessen in the dictionary there's gonna be a picture of this spot... Molinari Delicatessen The essential, the pinnacle, the OG of delis! Upon crossing the threshold of the inviting sticks of salami hanging with wine filled walls and pastas and sauces and peppers and all things Italian. It's like stepping into a shop in Italy somewhere like a cobblestone street on a corner. where everybody knows your name... You'll see a sandwich board menu with many options. You just wanna try them all. I chose the Luciano special of course and it was A-mazing! The combination of flavors and the fresh mozzarella was perfect, a cornucopia of Italian flavors all bundled into a handheld sammy. You're gonna love what you eat! Mangiamo! read more
So so good! We were out checking out holiday decorations and decided to pop in for a bite. Boy was this place busy. After an hour, we finally walked out a veggie sandwich, the mortadella sandwich and some bread sticks. Absolutely delicious, beautiful little shop and great service! read more
Molinari is a local favorite deli in North Beach neighborhood in San Francisco since 1896. Just like Mitchell Ice Cream in San Francisco this place requires you to get a ticket number by the entrance and wait to order a sandwich. Molinari has lots of great sandwich choices. I came here before the tariffs start to be handed down to the consumer because they have lots products imported from Italy. They have lots of cheeses, olive oils and wines from Italy. I got the Molinari Special Italian combo which is my go to here for years. Always consistently delicious. Go North Beach in San Francisco on Columbus where the variety of Italian goods at Molinari and selection of deli goods is humongous You can get wines olives oils and dried porcini mushrooms also known as fungus since 1896 Molinari became the San Francisco city deli's blueprint and compass read more
First time ever having Molinari's. Food was nice, wish i had time to one of their hot options, but maybe next time. I went with the Molinari's Special, variety of Italian cold cuts with cheese and the works. The service was great, even though the line gets very long here, my order was around the 25-30 minute mark due to the line ahead of me. The Sandwich: good flavor, but wish i had ordered something with Prosciutto. Would i go back, maybe, if im in the area. There's so many options in Russian Hill, so it's good to try different things. Lastly this place definitely has a homely feeling, definitely a cool retro delicatessen with all the history within its walls read more
It was crazy busy at 2pm yesterday. We waited 30 minutes to place our order. Was it worth it? Not really. We ordered the Italian combo on Italian bread. That was a mistake. We like crusty bread but this was tough. Taking a bite required moving the bread back and forth to tear it off. The flavor was great but it should be for $18. People behind the counter were friendly and there are a few tables outside. read more
9 months ago
Based on the reviews, I made a special trip into the city to try this place. It took me nearly 20 minutes just to find parking. I went in specifically to buy the frozen lasagna, one meat and one vegetarian, and I had high hopes given the location. Unfortunately, it was awful. Completely inedible. My son could not finish the meat lasagna. I reheated the vegetarian one for my daughter properly in a convection oven, not a microwave, and the texture was completely wrong. It was lumpy and mushy and did not resemble pasta at all. It honestly felt like eating Chinese porridge rather than lasagna. The taste was also off, with a strange plastic quality. It seemed like the product had been frozen for far too long. I tried calling the store afterward, but no one ever picks up. I am not even looking for a refund. I simply want to give honest feedback and suggest that this product be sourced from a different vendor. This should not be sold. I am posting this so others do not waste their time or money. read more
It's really hard not to give this place a 5-star rating. Service is fast, and the workers are helpful. The ambiance is amazing - real Italian deli, with fast-paced energy. And the food was perfect. The sandwiches are made fresh to order, including the meat slicing. And you can see the time and delicacy spent on each and every order. I ordered the mollinari special on the French roll and the Luciano special on the square rosemary focaccia. Mollinari special is a classic Italian sub, which was excellent, but the Luciano was breathtaking. A top 5 sandwich all time for me. Highly highly recommend this place. read more
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More info about Molinari Delicatessen
373 Columbus Ave
San Francisco, CA 94133
North Beach/Telegraph Hill, Russian Hill
Directions
(415) 421-2337
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http://themolinarideli.com
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Ask the Community - Molinari Delicatessen
Is there parking near by?
There is street, metered parking in the area. It's hard to find a space to park. You may need to drive for 5-10 minutes to find a space.
Is there street parking outside the deli on Columbus? Or should we look to the SFMTA North Beach Garage for parking? We're planning for a Saturday daytime visit.
There is street parking but depends on luck and timing. It being a Saturday there maybe more people looking for spots.
Do they have gluten free bread?
Ciao, we do not have Gluten Free bread, but we can do lettuce wraps for sandwiches.
Do they provide delivery?
Is the outside dining area dog friendly?
There outside eating area is on Columbus St. in front of the store with people walking by with their dogs..
What are the must-have vegetarian items here?
Marinated olives - it's a deli, salami is a vegetable here
Do you guys have a location in Oakland?
The only existing location is in San Francisco, CA.
Is Molinari open for pickup? And selling all its usual stuff? It looked closed when I walked down Columbus Ave today, but shows it's open 10-4
Not sure if it's open....i do know the food is amazing !!!
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